Killswitch Engage Says Goodbye to Singer Howard Jones

The metal machine that is Killswitch Engage has announced today that they will be parting ways with lead vocalist Howard Jones. Jones has been with the band for nine years. The band announced the sad news with the following release:

"To our family, friends and fans: We have decided to continue on without Howard Jones as the singer of Killswitch Engage. We love Howard and are thankful for the nine years that we've had him in the band. Out of respect for everyone involved, we will not be discussing the specific reasons behind this decision. Howard is a part of our family and always will be, and we wish him well. He has left big shoes to fill, so we certainly have our work cut out for us to find the next singer of Killswitch, something we plan on making priority #1 going forward. Most importantly, thanks to all of you for all the support throughout the years and for sticking by us for all this time. We really do appreciate it and we very much look forward to having a new record for all of you in the not too distant future that we can all be proud of."

This comes on the heels as Jones also sat out the band's North American headlining tour in 2010 which led to the band releasing the following statement at that time:

"It became overwhelmingly obvious to all of us around Howard that he is in no condition to be on tour right now and that he needed to get off the road and get himself better. It's a personal matter and while we understand everyone's curiosity and concern for Howard and the band, we appreciate everyone respecting Howard's privacy at this time."

Phil Labonte, lead singer of All That Remains filled in for the band temporarily that year, but the resolution to this New Year's catastrophe is nowhere in sight. The band continues to write for the new album, follow up of their 2009 self-titled album. Who knows how this story will end but all we can hope is that they find someone worthy of filling Jones' big shoes; and fast.

Interview with vocalist James Hart of Burn Halo

Perseverance seems to be a word that many of today’s bands have become quite familiar with over the years. This is no different for Burn Halo’s vocalist James Hart. After nearly a decade of touring and recording with his previous band 18 Visions, Hart has found himself a new home through another avenue or musicianship. Burn Halo has come onto the scene with a vengeance and has reached even greater heights then Hart’s previous work. They’ve recently been added to the lineup at the illustrious 2011 94.1 WJJO Band Camp and the honor has Hart excited and ready to prove to you all, that Burn Halo belongs on that stage. Maximum Ink’s Aaron Manogue talked with James Hart about what it’s going to be like playing Band Camp, outdoor music festivals and even why someone stole his bike when he was younger!

Aaron Manogue: Burn Halo is slated to play 94.1 WJJO Band Camp at the end of July. What’s it like to have the opportunity to play such a huge festival with so many other killer bands?
James Hart: These types of shows are always a great time. It really gives us a chance to showcase our music and talents as well as validate why JJO wanted to put us on the show. With so many great bands in one day, you really want to bring your “A game” and you want to be able to stand out. You want people walking away from the festival talking about your band with CD in hand.

AM: Band Camp is an outdoor event. What are some of your stories about events such as Band Camp that are outdoors, hot, and with thousands of drunk fans?
JH: Lots of topless people walking around and that’s not always a good thing. You always have the potential for rain too, and when stuff starts coming down it can get real crazy. The fact that the concert is outdoors instead of inside the venue gives people the chance to really let loose. There’s nothing around for them to break.

Interview with Red Line Chemistry Bassist Thomas Brown

Photo credit Shawna McHenry

Madison Wisconsin's Band Camp 2011 is bringing us the "direct, no-fuss, straight forward rock n roll" group Red Line Chemistry. We chatted a bit with bassist, vocalist Thomas (Tom) Brown.

Angela:  What can you tell us about the origin and meaning behind the band’s name, Red Line Chemistry?

Thomas:  The name, Red Line Chemistry, comes from when we first got together as a group. We immediately had chemistry as musicians, but we continuously pushed each other to get better. We always want to push the group and the music to the limit.

Angela:  What can this year’s JJO Band Camp attendees expect from a live RLC performance, especially outdoors?
Thomas:  Festival style shows are always a blast! The crowds are always loud and flat out crazy. We feed off that, so expect a high octane performance!

Angela:  Whom are you most excited to see perform at Band Camp on the stages? Also, have you met or toured with any of the other bands playing that day?

www.RedLineChemistry.com
photo by Douglas Sonders

Thomas:  I've heard nothing but good things about 5FDP, and we've all been listening to Clutch for years. Personally I think I'm most excited to see Volbeat; I love their style! We just finished a nation wide tour with Saving Abel, and we’ve played with All That Remains and Pop Evil several times. We are actually getting ready to begin a tour with Burn Halo and Egypt Central.

Angela:  What has been the craziest experience you guys have had at an outdoor show in your career?

Thomas:  Outdoor shows are just crazy in general! They seem to be the most opportune time for "technical difficulties.” The craziest thing I've seen would have to be Rockfest 2010 in KC. That festival is held in a park, and it had been raining for 3 days. Sixty thousand “mud people” took over for the day, throwing mud and sliding down hills. It was one hell of a day, but it showed how “die-hard” rock n roll fans can be!

photo credit- Douglas Sonders

Angela:  You come from a tough background of shaggin wagons and green lanterns as your transport on a tour and now things are less difficult and improving for the band; any words of advice for young musicians?

Thomas:  Do what you have to do!  If we gave up because the rides were uncomfortable, we'd never have made it out of the garage!

Angela:  Are any of you endorsed and by whom?
Thomas:  Mike, our drummer, is endorsed by Mienl cymbals.  Other than that, we're working on a Jack Daniels endorsement.

Angela:  Last words....are there any unsigned bands out there you wish to give a plug for here? Go ahead and shamelessly promote them!

Thomas:  A band from Kansas City that has caught our attention lately is The Beautiful Bodies. They're a unique bunch that I don't expect to be unsigned for long. Another band that isn't unsigned, but isn’t really well-known is the band, Karnivool. Amazing talent.

FOR UP TO DATE INFO ON ALL THINGS BANDCAMP GO TO
www.jjobandcamp.com !  
July 30, Madison WI on Willow Island!

Dying For A Living
Avail on Itunes, Amazon
& www.redlinechemistry.com

Connect with Red Line Chemistry!

Official RLC website

RLC on Myspace

Follow RLC on Facebook

The RLC youtube Channel

Red Line Chemistry VIDEOS:

• "You Don't Get It" video
• BEHIND THE MUSIC VIDEO “DUMB LUCK"
• Dumb Luck- video - from the album, Dying For A Living.
• "The One Thing"  

Written by Angela Villand

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Interview with Patrick McBride of Hourcast

Making music videos with pornstars, touring with legendary Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society and being lead singer of an up and coming rock band.  Life isn't so bad these days for Patrick McBride of Hourcast. Hard Rock Reviews chatted with McBride about sharing the limelight with gorgeous adult film star Jesse Jane, what it's like touring with BLS and what's coming up for Hourcast.


HRR: There isn't a ton of information out there about you guys. Tell us about yourself and the band.  How long have you been a band? How did you get your start? etc.
Patrick McBride: HourCast got it's start in 2001 with Jerry Clews (drummer) and Dave Henriquez (Guitar Player). They wanted to combine elements of rock and electronic music. Then they found me, Patrick McBride (vocalist) as a lead singer. Later, we added Dave Sullivan (Bass Player) when we decided to take the band out live. We started on a street level in Boston, playing shows.

We went to every rock concert in the city with backpacks on and GAVE AWAY our music for free...  In a matter of months we found ourselves on tour with Sevendust, then Godsmack. Godsmack really gave us a huge break bringing us a brand new, Boston band on the road. Since then we've been out with 30 Seconds to Mars, Breaking Benjamin, Volbeat, The Damned Things and now Black Label Society with All That Remains.

Interview with Mike Martin of All That Remains

Aaron Manogue: Can you tell me a little bit about your new album For We Are Many?

Mike Martin:Yeah, everybody’s pretty psyched about it. I think everyone feels it’s the best balance of what we’ve done as a band. We spent more time on this one compared to the last one so I think everyone’s pretty psyched about how it came out. Last time felt a little rushed when we did the Overcome album.  This time everyone’s a little happier that we got time to go through things with a fine-toothed comb, you know?

Manogue: Was there a message or statement you were trying to make with this album?

All That Remains - For We Are Many Review

Metal lovers, get ready to throw those devil horns in the air. Get ready to beat your fellow brethren into submission amidst the battlefields of the mosh pits. Get ready to have your ears melted from the inside out, all the while trying to wipe that hellish smile off your faces. All That Remains is back with their fifth album For We Are Many and are ready to prove that All That Remains is here to stay.

The band sticks true to form in their latest album. Pitch-black backdrops blended with melodic bear traps that grab a hold of you and leave you screaming for more. “Now Let Them Tremble” rips opens the album making you feel as if you're in the middle of an army full of Satan’s own war machines preparing for war. If you can listen to this song and not feel prepared for the massacre to come, you don’t have a pulse.